The Countdown (poem) by Rebecca S McKeehan on AuthorsDen

The Countdown
by Rebecca S McKeehan → (All Poetry by Rebecca S McKeehan)
Sunday, March 27, 2016 Rated "PG13" by the Author.

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“It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.” ― Voltaire

Tick. Tick. Tick. The clock counts down the hours, Just four more to go... Tick. Tick. Tick. How had we come to this? Fifteen years ago We had been so young, Young, in love, newly pregnant, And ridiculously idealistic... Tick. Tick. Tick. Who'd have known A midnight jaunt for ice cream Would set in motion A collision of disparate, Entangled, tragedies? Tick. Tick. Tick. A broken down car, No cell, a walk through the rain To an isolated farmstead Just up the road... Tick. Tick. Tick. To find An open door, Desecrated bodies, Pools of blood, No working phone... Tick. Tick. Tick. A panicked exit Going for help, Only to confront A wall of badges With guns... Tick. Tick. Tick. Hands cuffed, Interrogations, Fingerprints on the door Shoe prints of blood Leading outside... Tick. Tick. Tick. A jury trial, Unanimously held Guilty of all charges, Sentenced to death... Tick. Tick. Tick. Years of hearings Punctuated By desperate attempts To prove your innocence, But, sadly, To no avail... Tick. Tick. Tick. Appeals exhausted The date was set For midnight Tonight... Tick. Tick. Tick. One last visit One last kiss One week ago Before you were moved To your final cell... Tick. Tick. Tick. I can't decide If I love you Or despise you For forbidding me To be there! But... Tick. Tick. Tick. Could I watch you die? Watch the lethal cocktail of drugs Slither coldbloodedly Into your vein? Tick. Tick. Tick. Could I bear to watch Your eyes close, Your breath hitch, As your life slipped From your healthy body? Tick. Tick. Tick. So here I am Upon the bed We once shared, Rocking in agony Tears tracing down my cheeks And dripping from my chin As I imagine The unimaginable... Tick. Tick. Tick. Anguished rage Fuels the silent oath Echoing Through my mind... Tick. Tick. Tick. I will avenge you, My darling, I swear I will drag before the courts, Before the world, The true killer... Tick. Tick. Tick. The one who killed them And who killed you. I won't give up Until... Tick. Tick. Tick. I succeed, or, I, too, Am dead. Tick....

Reviewed by Dadfire

Reviewed on March 27, 2016

Very creative and just keeps your darn interest to the last, hardly being able to wait to read the next verse. Very well done and unusual approach.
We all love things a little different that are well written like this.
Keep it up!
Dan

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

While unusual for this forum, your poem was so realistic, while tragic, that it was refreshing to read. Recently I've noted that so many death sentences are being reversed here in Texas, a lock them up and throw away the key state. DNA is proving how easily law enforcement moves to convict the wrong person, especially for a hienious crime.

Very good stuff, keep it coming.

Ron

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton

Okay, this was very well planned out. And, as Edward said, it was a "spellbinder." And as I say, it is kickass poetry!

Reviewed by E Phillips

What a spellbinder! I am suddenly out of my comfort zone and into the stream of events that would follow an innocent person falsely charged and convicted of murder. Whether true or falsi, this awakening is real and I commend you for your wordsmithing.